Ugh, we thought. Just what we need: a slightly flavored cigar for those who like their cigars just slightly ruined, but not quite a full-on Acid. After all, why else would you age it in bourbon barrels if not to impart a flavor other than what naturally occurs in the tobacco, AKA an artificial flavor. We couldn't have been more wrong.

AJ Fernandez is on a roll, and his new partnership with cigarmaking giant Altadis USA has already netted at least one stellar smoke, H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez which we just reviewed—and recommended highly. Now here's a new take on another old brand with a three-country blend that practically mirrors the Upmann: Ecuador wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler. The price is higher, but Montecristos have always been sold at a premium. So for a few bucks more, is this a few ticks better?

That's a beautiful box of cigars right there, arguably the best looking overall design ever created by cigar manufacturing juggernaut Altadis USA and easily one of the nicest presentations going today. Those robin's egg blue and pale yellow bands perfectly accent the gorgeous coffee-hued wrapper leaves on these flawlessly crafted cigars—and we haven't even gotten down to smoking yet.

We don't think Drew Estate ever came out and said it this way, but it seems to us like the Undercrown line is their attempt at taking some of what people love about the spendy Liga Privadas and bringing it in at an affordable price point. Certainly, they succeeded with the previous maduro and Connecticut iterations, which are nice cigars with appealing, borderline upscale packaging priced around the current "sweet spot" of $8.

First things first: why is this a quick take instead of a full review, especially since we're generally big fans of brand owner Steve Saka? Well, it seems this limited edition from his latest venture is pretty much sold out, although we found a box at our local B&M. So the question is, if you're a follower of the brand, is it worth the time and effort to seek out? The answer is yes and no.